Our History

In 1993, Barry Hardy founded TDS because of his passion for the human side of the petrochemical and refining industry. While working in the industry for almost 20 years, he gained a keen understanding of the need for proper training and strategic workforce development inside operating facilities. TDS set out to provide training and tools that would increase productivity, improve safety and reduce environmental impact. Early clients included Union Carbide, Hoechst Celanese, and Sterling Chemicals.

College of the Mainland (COM) became a client as work grew within the industry and community colleges became more involved. TDS provided curriculum design for the original process technology associate degree program.  The contract grew to include classroom instruction and training for industry instructors. COM secured grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for TDS to develop the content for the complete program for classroom and distance learning. The scope of work expanded to include full management of the program during which time the program was recognized as exemplary by the Texas Higher Education Board.

In 1997, TDS wrote its first operator qualification program through a grant received by COM for the Amoco Chemical – Texas City Metaxylene Unit.

That same year TDS expanded its offerings by venturing into outsourcing. The company experienced its first major growth spurt in 1998, when it acquired PHA and Ariel consulting firms. This strengthened consulting services and significantly improved the ability to better serve the industry.

The project was followed by the first multi-million dollar operator qualification project at the Koch Refinery in Corpus Christi in 2000. The project included operating procedures for the first time. The curriculum design and operating procedure structure developed for Koch became the basic models still used today.

The instructional integrity, structure of the program, and technical accuracy of the materials led to additional projects including Valero Houston in 2002, Lyondell Refinery (previously Houston Refinery) in 2002, BP Refinery in 2005 (following the explosion), and Chevron Phillips Chemical Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia in 2008.  Many of the projects evolved into ongoing support contracts creating a relationship that grew into a preferred provider status.

In addition to work in hydrocarbon processing, TDS developed programs in ancillary businesses like Air Liquide medical gas production, Agrifos Fertilizer with crushed rock feedstock, and offshore terminal operations in Pisco, Peru.

TDS also developed contracts in the medical and technology industries.  The most significant was a multi-year contract with Compaq Computer beginning in 1996.  The project included the logistics, design, development and delivery of HR L&D initiatives globally.  Our role and success are best captured in Outsourcing Training & Development by Garry J. Derose, published by ASTD.

In 2004, TDS was awarded a contract with Consorcio Terminales in Pisco, Peru, establishing it as an international company. 2006 saw the management of multi-year, multi-million dollar projects and in 2007 opened two regional offices.

In 2010, TDS was restructured to provide more comprehensive solutions to both foreign and domestic clients. Barry Hardy transitioned to Founder and Chairman of the Board.